On February 20, 1913, over 100 soldiers at Fort D.A. Russell in Cheyenne were arrested for cocaine possession, including several high-ranking officers.

The entire 11th Infantry and Fourth Field Artillery units were interrogated and threatened with court martials if they didn't reveal the supplier. During the investigation, a guard at the hospital was implicated for selling cocaine to his fellow troops.

At the same time, the Wyoming State Legislature introduced a new bill that outlawed the possession and sale of cocaine. Meanwhile, the Cheyenne Police Department began a campaign to crack down on drug smugglers.